Authors Note: Ahh this took too long and was a bit stressful to write but it's here now.
Chapter Ten
Tuesday, April 24th
Princess Selena Bronte Schreave, Legacy of Zeus
Selena's father knew that she had a selection to worry about and that is to be her main concern; for the sake of the nation, she should focus on finding them a suitable ruler to reign alongside her when he passes. However, he did know that she should sit in on official meetings; even if they were only with her parents and their advisors. The structure is something she should get used to.
At eight am, Selena is forced into a meeting straight after breakfast. She begrudgingly heads to the conference hall, preferring to be sleeping at the moment.
Per usual, Selena was the last one to get there. Nobody commented on it. Instead, the meeting starts.
"We're all here," King Tyrell says, "We can start the meeting. Per usual, let's start with Gideon."
Queen Pallas' advisor, Gideon Blanchard stands. A clicker is resting in his left hand while a set of maids open his presentation, "There is a higher number of rebel attacks this month. Obviously, the only change with legacies and the royal family is that we've started Princess Selena's selection; thusly, I have a bit of a solution. With the princess' agreeance, as well as an affirmation from her parents, we should have Selena visit places with high rebel concentration and volunteer at certain organizations like homeless shelters and orphanages; both of which are common for disgruntled rebels to come from."
"Let's schedule those events alongside my Animal Again events," Selena notes, "I want to be active in my foundation and raise money for not just my shelters, but for other privately-owned animal shelters and veterinary clinics."
"A noble effort, Lena," her father gives her a soft smile, "I assume you are in with Gideon plan?"
"I am," Lena says, "however, I would like to know more about your plan, Gideon."
"Are you all okay with her doing this?" Gideon asks the group. Nobody opposes it and he continues onto the next slide, "well, Princess Selena shall head to each province alphabetically, starting with Allens and working with the staff of the facility, she would bring attention to a location that desperately needs publicity and help within their community."
"Bring on more selected," The group quickly turns to Queen Cheyenne who, for once in her work life, isn't on her rose gold laptop, "The public can see them as figures to look up to as well as it shows more legacies are willing to help the underprivileged. Thusly painting them in a better light."
"Let's do three legacies at each charity event." King Tyrell says, "One of which will be Lena and the other will be the selected from said province. The third one will be of your choosing, Selena."
"This should be a good thing for Princess Selena," Milly notes after being silent up to this point. She asks Gideon, "I trust you already have a place in mind for Allens?"
"I was hoping someone would ask," a grin forms on his face, "In fact, I have an orphanage in mind. I was thinking of working alongside a teenage orphanage in Allens. These kids are only a bit younger than most selected and most of them are just about to be targeted by rebels."
"Perhaps a banquet dinner?" Queen Pallas replies, "These kids could be at one table each, so everyone is forced to talk to each kid and learn more about them."
"Perfect," King Tyrell replies, "I trust that Selena and Mr. Blanchard will work together to plan this event."
"Yes dad," she replies.
Queen Pallas asks, "Anything else Gideon?"
"No, Your Highness." He sits back down as the maids take the projector and screen out of the hall.
Milly stands. She grabs the report that was shoved in her hands less than a day ago and starts speaking, "I have been working with our ambassador to Thailand and he says there is a possibility that Thailand is willing to sit down and have a discussion with King Tyrell."
"How good is this possibility?" Queen Pallas asks.
"Around a fifty-fifty chance," Milly replies, "But Henry is flying back out tonight in hopes that his presence in the embassy will help get them to a point of making contact with King Tyrell."
"That is good." King Tyrell notes, "Please inform me if a meeting can be set up between me and their King."
"Will do Your Highness," Milly replies. Sitting down, she ends with, "That is all for me."
King Tyrell asks, "So Selena, how are the selected?"
"I have a date planned later today and yes, I cleared it with the head of security, so I will be leaving the palace with bodyguards."
"Good."
"Call Andromeda's team of paparazzi." Her mother notes, "The selection is supposed to be a public event. You and whoever you've chosen for the first date will be all over the national news."
"I will" Selena replies.
King Tyrell stands, "Meeting adjourned. I shall see all of you later."
Nyssa Irina Galantis, Legacy of Artemis
While thirty-four of Selena's selected are in classes, learning how to act for interviews and the Report, Nyssa is getting chastised by her maid for biting her nails. The twenty-one-year-old legacy of Artemis hasn't grown out of the habit, but her seniormost maid has determined to get her to stop before the selection is over.
A knock is placed on her door. Before one of her maids can leap up to get the door for her, Nyssa grabs it.
On the other side is Princess Selena in light wash, ripped shorts and a tied up, yellow shirt. About two inches of her stomach is showing and most of her legs are visible.
'Damn' Nyssa thinks, 'Selena looks fucking fantastic'
She exits her room, closing the door behind her.
"Lead the way, Princess Selena."
The two of them walk the halls of the palace towards the front gates. Guards dot the halls and palace staff scurry around them, already preparing for tonight's dinner.
"How are you today?" Selena asks, initiating a conversation.
"Lady Luck seems to me on my side," Nyssa smirks.
Selena smiles, "Now, I wouldn't call it luck."
"Oh," Nyssa pauses, "What would you call it?"
"Skill." Selena replies, "You won those games fair and square."
Once they exit the palace walls, a group of guards is awaiting them. The four men get into the SUV behind the black car Selena, Nyssa and the two lady guards enter.
"Your Highness," one of the guards asks, "Are you okay?"
"Yes ma'am," she replies, "now, let's get a move on. I want to get through the media monkeys as fast as possible, so my date can start."
Selena connects her phone through an aux cord. She asks, "Any suggestions?"
"Something rock; something indie," Nyssa answers, "I'm not too picky."
A pre-Olympilléan band plays in the background. Nyssa and Selena keep a conversation about music the music playing. The ride to Fairy's Pony Palace doesn't take long.
Once they get there, a purple painted stable resides in the front of the farm. The road is slowly turning into dirt. The blue sky above is dotted with perfectly white clouds.
Once the four guards in the SUV do a complete security check of the place, Nyssa and Selena are able to exit the car. Miss Fairy, the owner of the horse farm is standing beside the team of photographers.
"Welcome to my ranch, Your Highness." Miss Fairy tells the couple, "If you would follow me, I will bring you by the horses and see if any warm up to you."
"I want video shots of the girls picking out horses as well video of them on the horses." The head photographer buts in, following the three of them into the stables.
Eight horses reside on each side of the stable. Selena heads towards a blonde horse and Nyssa follows her to the black and white horse in the stable beside her.
'Hey, if the princess picks you, don't you dare hurt her.' Nyssa looks towards horse Selena is petting.
The horse turns her head towards Nyssa, 'Are you talking to me?'
'Of course, who else would I be talking to?' Nyssa raises an eyebrow at the horse.
'I have a name if you must know. It is April Showers.'
'Well them, Miss April Showers, I'm Nyssa and that is Princess Selena. You will not injure the princess.'
'Whatever. If she doesn't hurt me I won't hurt her.'
Selena unknowingly ends the telepathic conversation between the horse and her date, "I like this one," her head turns towards Miss Fairy.
"And you, Lady Galanis," Miss Fairy walks over to the pair, "have you decided on your horse."
'Your name?' Nyssa asks the black and white horse in front of her.
He answers silently, 'May Flowers.'
'Are you alright with me riding you for the afternoon.'
'I'm not doing anything else today, the stable has been closed for you two,' he replies, 'so yeah.'
"Yes, Miss Fairy," Nyssa replies.
She opens the gates for the two horses and hands the reigns to the two of the girls, "Call me Toto."
"Well, Miss Toto, where should we start?" Selena asks.
The photographer is in the background trying to get good shots of the pair. Miss Fairy explains the basics of horseback riding to the pair. Selena listens, lightly petting April Showers. Nyssa is making sure not to stare down Selena's horse for the afternoon.
"Now let's get you on the horses!" Miss Fairy has a hint of excitement in her voice. The couple gets onto the horses without difficulty.
The photographer rests his camera down from his neck and orders, "Let's have the Princess and Lady Nyssa in the field with the horses. Today's weather is nice."
"Obviously," Selena replies, "I am controlling the weather over the field for the time being. Weatherman called for rain today."
'Is this lady serious?' April Showers thinks, 'She can control the weather.'
'Keep all comments to yourself,' Nyssa replies.
'I am.'
'Touché'
With the pair and the horses in the field, the photographer takes shots of the couple.
"All I need is a video of them actually riding the horses and we'll be on our way." He tells them whilst fiddling with his camera.
Miss Fairy comments, "Remember what I said. Always keep your hands intertwined with the reins and be relaxed. The horses can feel your energy."
Nyssa slightly pulls on the reins to alert May Flowers. He calmly starts to circle around Selena and April Showers.
"Looks like you're a natural," Selena says.
Nyssa smirks, "They must be drawn to me, Sel."
'Half-assed flirting,' April Showers neighs in disgust, 'It's sickening.'
Nyssa aptly ignores the horse's taunts and says, "Come on; there is no fun just sitting there like stranded ducks."
Selena pulls on the reigns and April Showers jolts, shocking but not harming Selena. The two of them get a feel of the horses, riding them around the field.
The field isn't outrageously big. They can see the barn and the house on residence from every point in the field. All of the obstacles that are usually set up have been removed and the grass has recently been cut.
'Am I behaving to your liking?' April Showers asks.
Nyssa throws a quick glance at her, 'As long as you don't injure the princess I'm fine.'
'Then why do you care when I pointing out something about her,'
'Because you are disrespecting her,'
'Whatever you and Her Highness say,' The horse has a haughty tone to this neigh.
The horses slow down a bit and Selena comments, "It looks like you and April Showers are having a nice conversation."
"Nice wouldn't be the word I'd call it."
"Are you giving the horse some attitude, Lady Nyssa?"
April proclaims, 'At least she's smart enough to blame you.'
"The horse is a biー" She stops her sentence. Not wanting to curse in front of the princess, she changes her word choice, "April Showers is a bit of a brat."
"I know you were going to say bitch," Selena comments, "I don't care if you curse in front of me. Luna does it all of the time."
"I'd rather not," Nyssa replies.
Selena goes back to a nice trot on her horse. Changing the subject, she asks, "What are the Hunters of Artemis like?"
"They're a very liberating group," Nyssa answers, "The hunters encourage women to work together in order to do amazing things."
"What have you done there?"
"I don't stay at official camps for the Hunters of Artemis, but whenever I visit I usually do archery and personal training."
"That sounds fun," Selena admits, "The hunters seem to be a good group."
"We are a close bunch."
"I assume so," Selena replies.
Trading backstories, Selena and Nyssa have a more relaxed horseback ride. Their banter is a fitting mix of flirting, laughing, and sarcasm. Selena is more extroverted with the conversation, quickly changing the subject if it becomes a bit weird. However, Nyssa keeps a comfortable, flirtatious tone to the conversation.
Coming out of the woodwork is the duo's security detail. Stopping both horses and both of the girls, one of the male guards informs the two of them that dinner will be served at the castle soon.
"Well, as tempting as it sounds to return home, I want to eat out tonight," Selena replies, "Are you alright with extending this date?"
"Who would pass up the opportunity to be with you, Your Highness?" A smirk forms on Nyssa's face.
'God please get these people away from me,' April butts in with a neigh, 'I'm fucking tired of hearing this girl flirt.'
"You did not run this by your security," the guard replies.
Selena raises an eyebrow, "Aren't I running this by you now?"
'Fuck,' Nyssa thinks, 'We all appreciate a woman who knows what she wants.'
'No we don't,' April replies.
"Well Your Highness," he replies, "We can't stop you so, where are we going?"
Selena hops off the horse half-hazardly and Nyssa follows in her example. As they lead the horses back to the barn, Selena asks Nyssa, "Are you down for milkshakes?"
"I'm open to them," she replies, "I'm willing to do most things."
"Then it's settled," Selena tells the guards, "Find and take us to an authentic 1950s diner with milkshakes."
"Have it be vegetarian-friendly too, please." Nyssa requests.
"Yes, ma'am." He replies.
The two of them return their horses to Miss Fairy and get into the black car that brought the pair here.
Once the two of them are in the car, Selena asks one of the female guards in the front seat, "Have your colleague found a suitable restaurant?"
"Yes, Your Highness," one of them answers, "It's about a thirty-minute drive from here. Is that alright?"
"That won't be a problem," Selena replies, crossing her legs, "I don't mind the drive."
"Neither do I," Nyssa comments, then thinks to herself, 'That's just more time to spend with Selena.'
"So Nyssa," Selena asks, "How did you figure out that you were a legacy of Artemis?"
"To shorten a long tale it was in a dream," Nyssa tells her, "I was around ten and attending an all-legacies boarding school when Artemis guided me towards the Artemis section at my school."
"Legacy only schools still exist?"
"Not on paper, but they hike up to prices so only Legacies and their families can afford it."
"That's," Selena pauses. She truly didn't know that Legacy only schools exist. Call it naïevity; call it ignorance, but she thought that schools like that didn't exist. She finishes her thought, "...cool. How do legacy only schools work?"
"They section us off by patron god or assumed patron god and teach us how to control our abilities." Nyssa answers, "It's a prestigious school."
"That actually doesn't sound so bad," Selena comments, "I was tutored under Miss Vulchanov since I was three."
"Viatrix?"
"Yeah."
"She's strict."
Selena laughs, "You can say that again."
"Your Highness, Lady Galanis, we've arrived," a guard speaks. Once again, however, the guards from the other car do surveillance of the shop. After a minute or two, they're satisfied enough to let the pair leave the car and enter the store.
A bright red and white checkerboard theme is the first thing noticeable. Nyssa would note that the red is the color of fresh blood and Selena would have to agree with her. There is a jukebox on the left side, the waitresses are in pastel pink poodle skirts, and the waiters are in classic surfer attire. Truly, this is straight out of a movie.
The lady serving them does an awkward curtsy at the pair and is trying her best to be as formal as possible. She can't be more than sixteen and just left school to immediately head to work.
Out of their view, a guard follows their waiter into the kitchen for what can only be assumed is to watch the chef make Selena's and Nyssa's orders.
"Have you ever been to one of these historic-style restaurants?" Selena asks after taking a sip of the chocolate milkshake she ordered.
Nyssa answers, "I can't say I have."
A Cheshire style grin emerges on Selena's face. She gets out of their booth and heads to the jukebox, "So you've never been to a restaurant like this and busted out dancing in the middle of the floor."
She fiddles with the jukebox, turning it to the song nobody truly knows the name of and starts to coerce Nyssa into dancing with her.
A couple of patrons start to covertly record Selena terribly dancing. By this point, Nyssa has thrown all caution to the wind and has started to dance with her.
Around ten minutes or so of wild, reckless dancing between Nyssa, Selena, and a couple of other brave guests, Selena's and Nyssa's orders come out, each with a new milkshake with it. Exhilarated, the pair sit back in their booth, eating their food.
The pair watch other people dance with their friends and families. The excitement in the restaurant hasn't stopped yet even as Nyssa's and Selena's date is coming towards an end.
"Let me pay," Nyssa tells Selena, grabbing her wallet.
Selena is caught by surprise, she didn't expect nor is forcing any selected to pay for anything in the palace. All the money they earn here isn't to be used on dates or basic necessities.
Selena comments, "The palace is legitimately paying for everything."
"Let me pay for this one thing."
One of Selena's guards butts in, "Everything has already been paid for."
"If it is truly bothering you, I'll let you pay for the next date." Selena comments.
The two of them start to pack up, each with a milkshake to go.
"So what you're saying is that there will be another date."
"I would hope so since I'm not eliminating you," Selena tells her as they enter the car, "I have had too much fun with you to do so."
"I'll be looking forward to our next date, Sel."
"I will be, too."